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Please help!
I have identified wiring in my upstairs lighting which is confusing. All the old black rubber stuff has been replaced because i can see all the cut ends in switch boxes and loft junction boxes etc, but what it has been replaced with seems to be old looking (tan coloured) 1.5mm oval pvc insulated twin & earth WITHOUT the earth core. Also the cores appear to be steel rather than copper. Does anybody recognize this type of cable?
Regards
Topper

Hi Topper,
Sadly its not good news, the type of wiring you discribe was installed when there was a copper shortage in the 60s/70s cant really remember the year , so they used alluminium conductors instead . looks like a re wire mate.......

That'll be fun

Don't forget that you have to be registered for 'PART P' to do domestic wiring.

Cheers
Mark

Only certain areas, most electrical work can still be done by the homeowner, for example repairs and replacements are allowed (ie rewire).

Hi Topper

Unfortunately, it sounds like Drew is right, I am informed by my son, a part P ELECSA registered spark, who rips a lot of this stuff out, that aluminium cables were in common use 30/35 years ago, apparently, the cable without earth was used earliest.
He also told me that where aluminium cable has to be used now, the conductor core sizes for current rating have been greatly increased since then to account for the malliability of the metal.
So Yes, rewire ASAP Im affraid, if you need any advice you can always ring young Darren on 07738232852 he will be pleased to help, even if its just make sure you dont get ripped off on the price of a rewire.

Its only the upstairs lighting that has this therefore as its all accessible from the loft space, i'm replacing it myself. I'll just leave the switch cabling until i decorate each room. As the switch plates are all plastic i'm not immediatly concerned about the lack of earth in these.
Cheers
Topper